Roads, pavements, and streetlights on the prison estates could be in line for much needed repair if an offer by the Ministry of Justice is taken up by Isle of Wight Council.

A report going to the council’s Cabinet on Thursday, 11 March 2021 (pdf document), has the details.

However, a lot of this is in confidential appendices, including a map of which roads are affected. I believe this map should be published so residents know if their road will get improvements.

The way the houses on the estates were sold in the 1980s means many residents have rights and responsibilities over parts of the roads. It’s not clear from the public part of the report what improvements will be made in these roads and what help will be offered to the residents affected. This needs to be made public.

When I campaigned for election in 2017, I gave a commitment to speak up for residents to try to get improvements to the estates. I have done so ever since, including meetings with the Island’s MP and going up to London to meet with an MoJ civil servant.

Late last year, it was clear that progress was being made with the replacement and repair of several street lights on the estates.

This new offer goes much further. It may not be perfect but I believe the council must accept it so that at least some roads will get much-needed improvements. From what residents tell me, a major priority is to get working street lights across the estates. In a survey I carried out before the pandemic at least 45 were not working or faulty. There are also many roads and pavements which are hazardous and need to be made safe.

If you are a resident on one of the prison estates, please get in touch with the questions that you want answered. I will take up these up with the council’s Cabinet before they make their decision.